Convertible Central Vacuum Unit

ABSTRACT

A central vacuum wherein said central vacuum comprises a housing with a portion of said housing comprising a motor housing, a filter housing and a dust collecting bin. A motor, power source, foam filter a dust collecting bin are incorporated within the filer housing. 
     The housing further compromising an exhaust outlet, and at least two optional intake ports adapted to receive an intake hose. The first intake port is adapted such that the air and debris received from an intake hose is channeled into the filter where it passes through the filter, trapping dust and debris in the filter. The second intake port is adapted such that the air and debris received from an intake hose is channeled directly into a bag adapter and the air and debris is channeled into a vacuum filter bag, trapping the dust and debris in the bag. With either intake port, the air to flows through the filter or filter bag into the housing, where the air is exhausted through the exhaust outlet. 
     The intake ports further comprise a seal, such that when an intake port is not in use it can be sealed and prevent the escape of any airflow, dust and debris through the intake port.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The application claims priority of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/314,034 filed Mar. 28, 2016.

SPECIFICATION

Field of The Invention

The present invention relates to Central Vacuum units for residential or commercial us. In particular, the invention relates to debris and dust management solutions for the main central vacuum unit, in order to allow for more efficient cleaning of the unit, while minimizing dust exposure and escape.

Background of the Invention

The present invention is a Central Vacuum unit which contains an internal adaptor which allows for a user to use either a filter alone or to use a disposable bag with the unit.

A large purpose of Central Vacuum units is the removal of dust from each room of your home, and into a centralized unit, where the dust is prevented from returning to the room. The Central Vacuum unit is generally stored in a basement or other out-of-the-way location, with connecting ports disbursed throughout the home. When cleaning, regardless of which port is used, all of the collected dust and debris is removed to the Central Vacuum unit. Similar Central Vacuum units are bagless and use a foam filter which must be cleaned and/or replaced regularly, or employ a traditional bag for receiving the debris. More modern advancements include units that employ Cyclonic Systems, that may operate without the use of a filter or bag, and smaller particles are vented directly outside the unit. The current invention improves upon the filter and bag-based units, to maximize the benefits of each.

During use, the dust and debris accumulates and the Central Vacuum unit must be cleaned by emptying the bag or cleaning the filter. Failure to clean the filter or timely empty the bag reduces air-flow and the effectiveness of the unit, and can result in over-heating the motor and permanent damage to the unit. The process of emptying the unit or bag and cleaning the filter is time consuming, and also exposes the user to a significant amount of dust. However, a bag is generally considered better for those with allergies or other dust sensitive issues, in order reduce the direct exposure to the dust. Though bagged units offer some advantages related to dust exposure when cleaning, bagged units are also the most susceptible to reduced air flow as the bag fills.

Without a bag, the need to clean the machine has several drawbacks, and failure to clean the machine can result in reduced performance, costly damage, and possible safety concern. However, as mentioned above, the use of a bag can create additional susceptibility to air-flow problems and also reduce the performance of the machine. Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to reduce the risks by providing an easy to maintain Central Vacuum unit, that provides an adapter to attach a bag to the traditional filter-based unit, maximizing the benefits of filtered units, while allowing for use of a debris bag for a more dust-free and efficient clean-up when desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention provides a Central Vacuum unit that includes an adaptor that can be installed in the Central Vacuum unit that allows the use of a bag for collecting the dust and debris. The user has the choice of using either a disposable bag by inserting the adapter, or using the standard foam filter without the adaptor and bag. When the adapter is used, the collected dust and debris goes inside the bag, and no dust will accumulate within the Central Vacuum unit. This eliminates the need for a filter, minimizes exposure to dust, and reduces the cleaning and maintenance necessary. Alternatively, the adapter can be removed, and the machine can function with a filter, and no bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the central vacuum unit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the central vacuum unit of the present invention, from the opposite side perspective as FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an interior view of the filter housing of the central vacuum unit of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE IMAGES

In general, a Central vacuum unit (10) has a housing with a top portion comprising a motor housing (11) and a filter housing (12); a central connecting portion (13); and a lower portion serving as a dust collecting bin (14). The top portion houses the motor and power source within the motor housing (11) and a foam filter (20) within the filer housing (22). One optional intake, the traditional intake port (21), channels air into the top portion and through the filter, where the air is exhausted through the exhaust outlet (22). Central connecting portion (13) serves as a connection ring for the entire unit, joining the top and bottom portions. The central portion (13) further comprises a second optional intake, the bag adapter (30) and intake port (31), which channels the air downwards directly into a bag attached to the end of adapter (30), and stored within the bottom housing (14). The bottom portion is essentially the collection container (14) for storing the dust and debris, with or without a bag. The top portion and bottom portion are connected by intermediate portion (13), which comprises a funnel (40) leading to the bottom portion as well as the aforementioned alternate intake port (31) and adaptor (30).

In traditional use, no bag is used, and an intake hose is attached to the filter housing intake port (21). During cleaning, the debris and dust is drawn through an intake hose and into the unit through the intake port (21), where it enters the top portion of the unit. A filter (20) is housed inside the unit, so air and debris entering the unit through the intake port (21) is than passed through filter (20). The debris is filtered, and fine debris is trapped in the filter while larger debris does not enter the filter and passes through funnel (40) and into the debris container (14). The air is channeled through the filter and exhausted after filtration through the exhaust outlet (22).

Alternatively, the intake hose is attached to alternate intake port (31). The alternate intake port (31) is secured to adaptor (30) which is adapted to secure a vacuum bag within the bottom portion (14) of the unit. When the alternate intake port (31) is in use, the air and debris passes though the intake and adaptor directly into a bag, where it is collected for easy removal. The bag also serves as the filter, allowing the air to permeate and escape the bag, where the air is then exhausted through the exhaust outlet (22). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A central vacuum wherein said central vacuum comprises a housing with a portion of said housing comprising a motor housing, a filter housing and a dust collecting bin; a motor and power source within the motor housing, and a foam filter within the filer housing; said housing further compromising an exhaust outlet, and at least two optional intake ports, a first intake port and second intake port, adapted to receive an intake hose; wherein said first intake port is adapted such that the air and debris received from an intake hose secured to said first intake port is channeled into the filter where it passes through the filter, trapping dust and debris, allowing the air to flow through the filter into the housing, where the air is exhausted through the exhaust outlet; and wherein said second intake port is adapted such that the air and debris received from an intake hose secured to said second intake port is channeled directly into a bag adapter and the air and debris is channeled into a vacuum filter bag, trapping the dust and debris, allowing the air to flow through the filter bag into the housing, where the air is exhausted through the exhaust outlet; and wherein each of said intake ports further comprises a seal, such that when an intake port is not in use it can be sealed and prevent the escape of any airflow, dust and debris through the intake port. 